Ethereum’s ongoing evolution is marked by rigorous core development cycles, with the latest "Checkpoint" series providing high-level updates on the progress of upcoming network upgrades. This edition delves into the intricate details of the Glamsterdam and Hegotá upgrades, highlighting the technical hurdles, strategic feature selections, and the collaborative spirit driving Ethereum’s advancement. While the pace of development for Glamsterdam has proven more deliberate than initially anticipated, the foundational work laid for future upgrades like Hegotá signals a continued commitment to enhancing the network’s capabilities and security.
Glamsterdam: A Steady March Through Complex Implementations
The Glamsterdam upgrade, representing the next significant evolution for the Ethereum network, is progressing steadily, albeit with a more methodical pace than some had hoped. The upgrade’s roadmap, accessible on Forkcast, outlines a comprehensive suite of features, categorized as either "Scheduled for Inclusion" (SFI) or "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI). SFI features are virtually guaranteed to be part of the upgrade, while CFI features are highly probable but subject to implementation complexity and compatibility with other scheduled advancements. The framework for these stages is currently undergoing refinement to better articulate the development process.
A central focus of Glamsterdam is the implementation of enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This pivotal feature aims to segregate the roles of block proposers and block builders within the consensus layer, a departure from the current model where these functions are largely handled externally. This architectural shift necessitates a robust protocol-level mechanism to manage potential disagreements or failures between these two newly defined entities. Consequently, every layer of the Ethereum stack must adapt to reason about "partial blocks" and the complexities of two-party coordination, touching virtually all aspects of the protocol.
On the execution layer, Block-level Access Lists (BALs) represent a fundamental re-evaluation of how gas and state access are managed. The ongoing development and testing of BAL devnets are making predictable progress in addressing the inherent complexities associated with this change.
Several gas repricing proposals are also being bundled for inclusion in Glamsterdam. These adjustments are crucial for optimizing transaction costs and network efficiency. Furthermore, community input has underscored the importance of EIP-7954, a proposal to increase the maximum contract size. This feature is gaining significant traction and is likely to be prioritized due to its potential impact on decentralized application development.
Developers are targeting the deployment of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet in the coming weeks, contingent on the stabilization of the current ePBS devnet. This will be followed by iterative devnet deployments incorporating an increasing number of non-headliner features. The process will culminate in client releases, comprehensive security audits, migration to testnets, and finally, the announcement of the mainnet fork date once stability is confirmed across all stages.
The current timeline suggests that a Glamsterdam mainnet launch in the second quarter of the year may be ambitious. However, the dedication of client developers to tackle these intricate technical challenges remains unwavering.
Hegotá: Charting the Course for the Next Frontier
Hegotá, the upgrade slated to follow Glamsterdam, has solidified its primary feature: FOCIL (EIP-7805). This selection was finalized after a rigorous process, marking a significant step in defining the upgrade’s core enhancements. The consensus layer’s headliner is now set, providing a clear direction for development.
The execution layer, however, saw considerable debate surrounding an Account Abstraction proposal. Despite extensive discussions, a lack of consensus on specific implementation details led to EIP-8141 (Frame transactions) being moved to "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status as a non-headliner. This decision reflects a commitment to continue exploring Account Abstraction solutions that garner broader support among client developers and the community. The goal is to integrate an Account Abstraction proposal that meets a wider array of community needs and technical considerations.
An emerging area of interest within the Hegotá upgrade discussions is quantum resistance. While no standalone proposal has yet been formally introduced, some Account Abstraction proposals are incorporating quantum resistance as a component of their broader feature sets. This indicates a forward-looking approach to network security in anticipation of future cryptographic advancements.
The proposal window for non-headlining features for Hegotá opens on April 9th. Developers and interested parties can submit their EIPs by integrating them into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the upgrade’s meta EIP (EIP-8081). The deadline for these submissions will be announced at least two weeks in advance, ensuring ample opportunity for participation. The Forkcast page for Hegotá will serve as the definitive source for the most current information regarding the upgrade’s process and timeline. The ultimate launch date for Hegotá will be intrinsically linked to the successful progression and completion of the Glamsterdam upgrade over the coming months.
Gas Limit Adjustments: Paving the Way for Scalability
Continuous testing of increased gas limits is underway on devnets, with the overarching objective of enabling higher gas limits in both Glamsterdam and subsequent upgrades. The current target for the baseline gas limit is 60 million gas. However, extensive testing is being conducted at significantly higher limits to thoroughly understand the implications and necessary optimizations for achieving these ambitious targets. A substantial portion of the gas repricing work being implemented within Glamsterdam is designed to facilitate these safe increases in gas limits, a critical step towards enhancing Ethereum’s scalability.
Empowering EIP Champions: New Resources for Proposal Development
The Protocol Support team has launched new resources aimed at assisting authors and advocates in championing feature proposals and garnering stakeholder feedback. The newly published EIP Champions Handbook, available on the Protocol Support website, provides a comprehensive guide for navigating the complex process of getting features integrated into Ethereum upgrades. This initiative underscores the network’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and efficient development ecosystem, empowering a wider range of contributors to shape the future of Ethereum.
Broader Implications and Community Engagement
The rapid succession of upgrades following Fusaka, including Pectra, had initially fueled optimism for quicker Ethereum forks. However, the complexities encountered during Glamsterdam’s development highlight the intricate nature of protocol upgrades. Despite these challenges, the core development community remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the Ethereum network.
The selection of a single headliner for Hegotá presents an interesting dynamic. Depending on the outcome of the non-headliner selection process, Hegotá could potentially follow Glamsterdam in a more condensed timeframe than Glamsterdam followed Fusaka. There remains a possibility that client developers could converge on a particularly impactful Account Abstraction proposal, elevating it to headliner status in recognition of its profound significance to the Ethereum ecosystem.
While not an official roadmap, the "strawmap" published earlier this year has been instrumental in reigniting enthusiasm for a guiding framework that can inform feature choices during the upgrade process. This initiative appears to be a beneficial tool in facilitating community consensus on development priorities and fostering a shared vision for Ethereum’s future.
A Glimpse into Development Calls
The ongoing dialogue and decision-making processes surrounding these upgrades are meticulously documented through a series of All Core Developer (ACD) calls. These calls serve as crucial forums for technical discussions, proposal evaluations, and consensus building. Key calls from January 21st to April 9th provide a detailed chronicle of the progress and debates shaping Glamsterdam and Hegotá:
- ACDT (All Core Devs Teleconference): Calls 76 through 67 have covered a range of topics, reflecting the continuous nature of development discussions.
- ACDC (All Core Devs Consensus Layer): Calls 176 through 173 have focused on the consensus layer aspects of the upgrades, including the intricacies of ePBS and other protocol-level enhancements.
- ACDE (All Core Devs Execution Layer): Calls 234 through 229 have delved into the execution layer’s challenges, particularly concerning Account Abstraction, BALs, and gas repricing mechanisms.
These calls, along with the detailed notes and summaries available on platforms like Forkcast, provide invaluable insight into the collaborative and iterative nature of Ethereum’s core development. The transparency and open communication fostered through these channels are essential for the continued health and progress of the network. The journey towards more scalable, secure, and user-friendly Ethereum is an ongoing testament to the dedication and ingenuity of its global developer community.
